Coat tote system and method

ABSTRACT

A coat tote system provides users with an attachable strap which, when slung across the chest, allows for hands-free carrying of a clothing garment when it is not worn. The device features small holes or slits on the ends, enabling the strap to be secured to a coat, jacket, or other garment via snaps, buttons, clasps, or other fastener mechanisms. It attaches to the back panel of a coat or jacket via the fastener mechanisms. The device allows users to transport clothing garments without having to stuff it inside a backpack, purse, etc. or having to carry the jacket in hand. As designed it offers a much simpler and more convenient method of transporting clothing garments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/653,487 filed 5 Apr. 2018, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art nor material to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of garments ofexisting art and more specifically relates to garments convertible intoother articles.

RELATED ART

Many individuals in modern society wear garments for warmth and fashion.People wearing a coat or jacket may become too warm while away fromhome. The coat or jacket is removed and must be carried in some fashion,whether carried by hand or jammed into a backpack or other storage bag.Carrying a coat or jacket by hand can be annoying and frustrating,leaving only one hand free for other tasks. People may end up sufferingthrough discomfort and wear their jacket through warm environments toavoid carrying it. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0318878 to Joan Grace Warren relates to a tote coat.The described tote coat includes a portable and collapsible combinedcoat and blanket and item bag for an infant, alternately able tofunction as clothing or changing pad or swaddling, having the advantagesof minimizing quantity of items which must be carried in order to bringa child and necessary items away from a home, such as to do errands, andsimplifying the number of steps necessary to perform changing of adiaper, as well as to adjust clothing or access items, in order toaccommodate the needs of a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known garmentsart, the present disclosure provides a novel tote coat system. Thegeneral purpose of the present disclosure, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effectivetote coat system and method.

The present invention provides users with an attachable strap which,when slung across the chest, allows for hands-free carrying of aclothing garment when it is not worn. The coat tote has suspender claspson each end so that it can be attached to the inside back panel of acoat. The device features small holes or slits on the ends, enabling thestrap to be secured to a coat, jacket, or other garment via snaps,buttons, clasps, or other fastener mechanisms. The strap is concealed inthe back of the coat while the person is wearing the coat. It attachesto the back panel of a coat or jacket via the fastener mechanisms. Thedevice allows users to transport clothing garments without having tostuff it inside a backpack, purse, etc. or having to carry the jacket inhand. The present invention offers a much simpler and more convenientmethod of transporting clothing garments. The coat tote in preferredembodiments does not turn the coat in a duffel bag type garment.Further, the device may comprise pockets for money, credit cards, andcell phone, and a grommet where a person can attach a water bottle. Thestrap does not turn the coat into anything. The invention comprises astrap that attaches to the inside of a person's garment, then thegarment is worn, with the strap in the back of the coat, not seen. Whenthe person wants to take the coat off, they can use the strap attachedto the back as a means to carry the coat (strap across the chest) withthe coat simply hanging behind them, instead of carried or tied aroundthe waist.

When wearing the coat and you don't see the strap, is because the strapis attached inside the coat. If a person gets a fancy strap (with sportteam logo, or favorite superhero for example), then the wearer-user canabsolutely show the strap; otherwise, there is no need to show it whilewearing the coat. The strap is similar to seatbelt material, andapproximately the same width made with a pocket of a stretch material,so people can keep credit cards and cash, a similar pocket for a cellphone, and even a grommet, where a person wearing the strap can attach awater bottle.

A tote coat system is disclosed herein comprising: a strap memberdefined by a body having a front side; a back side; a first end; asecond end; a length; and a thickness; at least one receiver-aperture;and at least one garment-attached fastener; wherein the length of thestrap member is rectangular and the at least one receiver-aperturecomprises a first receiver-aperture and a second receiver-aperture. In apreferred embodiment the first receiver-aperture is located proximatethe first end and the second receiver-aperture is located proximate thesecond end. The at least one garment-attached fastener comprises a firstgarment-attached fastener and a second garment-attached fastener;wherein the first garment-attached fastener and the secondgarment-attached fastener are located inside the garment. As designedthe strap member is removably attachable to a garment pre-use condition,in-use condition, and post-use condition via the at least onegarment-attached fastener connected to the garment, during the in-usecondition the garment is hands-free toted. The strap member is orientedcross-body when used; the garment generally an upper body garment suchas a coat or the like.

According to another embodiment, a kit and a method of use for the totecoat system are also disclosed herein, the method comprising the stepsof: providing the tote coat system comprising: a strap member defined bya body having a front side; a back side; a first end; a second end; alength; and a thickness; at least one receiver-aperture; and at leastone garment-attached fastener; attaching the at least onegarment-attached fastener inside the garment; and coupling the at leastone garment-attached fastener to the at least one receiver-aperture forthe pre-use condition. The method may further comprise the step ofremoving the garment and slinging the strap member as attached to thegarment for the in-use condition comprising hands-free-use for carryingwhile not wearing the garment.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages,and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is tobe understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achievedin accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus,the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achievesor optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught hereinwithout necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to benovel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in theconcluding portion of the specification. These and other features,aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following drawings and detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, atote coat system, constructed and operative according to the teachingsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coat of the tote coat system beingworn (strap concealed) and how the coat can be transported via the strapduring an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the coat equipped with the strap ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coat and strap of the tote coatsystem of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of various fastener mechanisms for thestrap of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the strap as used to hold for example awater bottle.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate togarments and more particularly to a tote coat system as used to improvethe efficiency of garment carrying when the garment is not being worn.

Generally, Coat Tote is a strap that can be fastened to a coat, jacket,or other clothing garment via buttons, snaps, clamps, etc. and allowsthe garment to be carried in a hands-free manner when taken off. Thesystem is intended to offer convenience when transporting clothinggarments. The strap features small slits/holes on each end capable ofreceiving the fasteners. The fasteners can be applied to the interior ofa coat or jacket, effectively securing the strap. The strap can be laidacross the chest and can be shown as a fashion accessory or covered byzipping up the jacket. The strap may also be applied to the rear sectionof a clothing garment's interior, completely out of sight while thegarment is worn. Users can simply remove their clothing garment andsling the strap across the chest to transport the garment in ahands-free manner. Coat Tote's strap can be constructed using nylon andother suitable materials while the garments may include coats, jackets,hoodies, and more. The strap may be available in various sizes, colors,and designs to accommodate all user needs and preferences. Exact size,measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary uponmanufacturing.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals ofreference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a tote coatsystem 100.

FIGS. 1-5 show various views of a tote coat system 100 during an‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Here, the tote coat system 100 may be beneficial for use bya user to provide efficient garment carrying means when desired. Asillustrated, the tote coat system 100 may include a strap member 110defined by a body 112 having a front side 114; a back side 116; a firstend 117; a second end 118; a length 119; and a thickness 115; at leastone receiver-aperture 130; and at least one garment-attached fastener140. As designed, the strap member 110 is removably attachable to agarment 102 pre-use condition 250 when garment 102 is normally worn,in-use condition 150, and post-use condition via the at least onegarment-attached fastener 140 connected to the garment 102. During thein-use condition 150 the garment 102 is hands-free toted, as shown. Insome versions, strap member 110 is rectangular.

The at least one receiver-aperture 130 in preferred embodimentscomprises a first receiver-aperture 132 and a second receiver-aperture134; wherein the first receiver-aperture 132 is located(relationally-speaking) proximate the first end 117 and the secondreceiver-aperture 134 is located proximate the second end 118. The atleast one garment-attached fastener 140 comprises a firstgarment-attached fastener 142 and a second garment-attached fastener144. The first garment-attached fastener 142 and the secondgarment-attached fastener 144 are located inside the garment, as shownsuch that they are concealed and thus aesthetically pleasing. The firstgarment-attached fastener 142 is located inside a front top of thegarment 102 and/or the first garment-attached fastener 142 is locatedinside a rear top of the garment 102. The second garment-attachedfastener 144 is located inside a front bottom of the garment 102 and/orinside a rear bottom of the garment 102. The strap member 110 of thetote coat system 100 is oriented cross-body when used, as shown. Thegarment 102 generally referred to herein is an upper body garment suchas a coat, sweater or the like.

The at least one receiver-aperture 130 may comprise a slit, hole or thelike; wherein the at least one receiver-aperture 130 preferablycomprises an aperture-stabilizer (metal support ring or the like). Thetote coat system 100 may further comprising a connector 160 as shown inFIGS. 4 & 5. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciatedthat, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as userpreferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketingpreferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc.,other fastener/connector/hole/hole support arrangements such as, forexample, buttons, snaps, pins, clips, clasps, c-clamps, clamps, loops,adhesives, hook and loop fastening means, etc., may be sufficient.

According to one embodiment, the tote coat system 100 may be arranged asa kit. In particular, the tote coat system 100 may further include a setof instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships inrelation to the structure of the tote coat system 100 such that the totecoat system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferredmanner.

A method for using the tote coat system 100 may include one or morecomponents or features of the tote coat system 100 as described above.As illustrated, the method for using the tote coat system 100 mayinclude the steps of providing the tote coat system as described herein;attaching the at least one garment-attached fastener inside the garment;and coupling the at least one garment-attached fastener to the at leastone receiver-aperture for the pre-use condition. The method may furthercomprise the step of removing the garment and slinging the strap memberas attached to the garment for the in-use condition comprisinghands-free-use for carrying while not wearing the garment.

It should be noted that there may be optional steps which may not beimplemented in all cases. It should also be noted that the stepsdescribed in the method of use can be carried out in many differentorders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not beinterpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended toinvoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be notedthat, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as designpreference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structuralrequirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., othermethods for use, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A tote coat system comprising: astrap member defined by a body having a front side; a back side; a firstend; a second end; a length; and a thickness; at least onereceiver-aperture; and at least one garment-attached fastener; whereinsaid strap member is removably attachable to a garment pre-use, in-use,and post-use via said at least one garment-attached fastener connectedto said garment, during said in-use said garment is hands-free toted. 2.The tote coat system of claim 1, wherein aid strap member isrectangular.
 3. The tote coat system of claim 2, wherein said at leastone receiver-aperture comprises a first receiver-aperture and a secondreceiver-aperture.
 4. The tote coat system of claim 3, wherein saidfirst receiver-aperture is located proximate said first end.
 5. The totecoat system of claim 3, wherein said second receiver-aperture is locatedproximate said second end.
 6. The tote coat system of claim 5, whereinthe at least one garment-attached fastener comprises a firstgarment-attached fastener and a second garment-attached fastener.
 7. Thetote coat system of claim 6, wherein the first garment-attached fastenerand said second garment-attached fastener are located inside saidgarment.
 8. The tote coat system of claim 7, wherein the firstgarment-attached fastener is located inside a front top of said garment.9. The tote coat system of claim 7, wherein the first garment-attachedfastener is located inside a rear top of said garment.
 10. The tote coatsystem of claim 7, wherein the second garment-attached fastener islocated inside a front bottom of said garment.
 11. The tote coat systemof claim 7, wherein the second garment-attached fastener is locatedinside a rear bottom of said garment.
 12. The tote coat system of claim1, wherein the strap member is oriented cross-body when used.
 13. Thetote coat system of claim 1, wherein the garment is an upper bodygarment.
 14. The tote coat system of claim 1, wherein the at least onereceiver-aperture comprises a slit.
 15. The tote coat system of claim 1,wherein the at least one receiver-aperture comprises anaperture-stabilizer.
 16. The tote coat system of claim 1, furthercomprising a connector.
 17. A tote coat system comprising: a strapmember defined by a body having a front side; a back side; a first end;a second end; a length; and a thickness; at least one receiver-aperture;and at least one garment-attached fastener; wherein said length of saidstrap member is rectangular; wherein said at least one receiver-aperturecomprises a first receiver-aperture and a second receiver-aperture;wherein said first receiver-aperture is located proximate said firstend; wherein said second receiver-aperture is located proximate saidsecond end; wherein the at least one garment-attached fastener comprisesa first garment-attached fastener and a second garment-attachedfastener; wherein the first garment-attached fastener and said secondgarment-attached fastener are located inside said garment; wherein saidstrap member is removably attachable to a garment pre-use and isconcealed, in-use, and post-use via said at least one garment-attachedfastener connected to said garment, during said in-use said garment ishands-free toted; wherein the strap member is oriented cross-body whenused; and wherein the garment is an upper body garment.
 18. The totecoat system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; andwherein the tote coat system is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of usefor the tote coat system, the method comprising the steps of: providinga tote coat system comprising: a strap member defined by a body having afront side; a back side; a first end; a second end; a length; athickness; at least one receiver-aperture; and at least onegarment-attached fastener;  wherein said strap member is removablyattachable to a garment pre-use, in-use, and post-use via said at leastone garment-attached fastener connected to said garment, when in-usesaid garment is hands-free toted; attaching said at least onegarment-attached fastener inside said garment; and coupling said atleast one garment-attached fastener to said at least onereceiver-aperture for said pre-use.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising the step of removing said garment and slinging said strapmember as attached to said garment for said in-use comprisinghands-free-use for carrying while not wearing said garment.